The Command Travel To Iowa To Take On The Barnstormers

The Kansas City Command visit the Iowa Barnstormers for an Arena Football League Central Division match-up this Saturday, May 12 at 7:05pm at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The Command
(0-7) failed to capitalize on another strong defensive performance against San Antonio last Saturday, falling to the Talons 41-31. The Barnstormers (3-5) dropped their third straight game over the weekend, losing on the road to the Chicago Rush 61-50 Sunday afternoon.
The Command held a fourth-quarter lead for the first time this season and maintained a 31-27 advantage until the Talons scored 14 points in the final 3:57 to win by 10.
The Command defense played arguably their best game of the year, holding San Antonio to just 41 points and 231 yards of total offense. DB Sergio Gilliam had two interceptions in the game and earned the AFL’s Riddell Defensive Player of the Week award.
The offense for the Command continued to struggle, especially early and late. Kansas City got just three points out of its first three possessions and was shut out in the fourth quarter for the third time in seven games. The last three Command drives resulted in a missed field goal, lost fumble and turnover on downs.
Iowa is coming off a tough four-game stretch in which they played arguably the four best teams in the National Conference. After beating Arizona 56-54, Iowa lost three straight to Utah (63-62), San Jose (76-33) and Chicago (61-50). The San Jose game was notable for the fact the Barnstormers failed to score in the second half after trailing just 41-33 after two quarters. Six Iowa possessions ended with and interception, a fumble and a remarkable four turnovers on downs.
Last week Iowa led 28-24 at the half and 42-38 late in the third quarter, but after scoring touchdowns in each of their first six possessions, the Barnstormers scored just one TD and gave up a safety and two turnovers on downs the final four times they had the ball.
The Barnstormers quarterback is JJ Raterink who started the first 13 games of the 2011 season for the Command before getting traded to Chicago. Raterink threw for 358 yards, four touchdowns
and no interceptions against the Rush on Sunday.
The Command and Barnstormers faced off for the first time last year and met twice, with the home team emerging victorious in both contests. The first-ever Kansas City Command victory came in last season’s home opener on April 9 against Iowa 62-48. Bradly Chavez and Bret Smith each had three TD receptions for KC. Iowa won 48-40 on July 9 in Des Moines. Smith had his second big game against the Barnstormers, catching 12 passes for 156 yards.
The Game will be broadcast on WHB 810 AM & Ustream